PDC WDC round 1 afternoon session: Emerging star Suljovic to step up

Holly Thackeray | December 19, 2015

Day 4: First round afternoon session plus preliminary action

Caven, Suljovic, Hamilton make first outings

There have been shocks and surprisingly close-run contests aplenty in the opening few days of the 2016 PDC World Championship at the Alexandra Palace, and a decadent day four begins with more brilliant battles.

Below are four fixtures which should make for an intriguing afternoon oche entertainment, while you can also take a gander at our preview for day four’s evening encounters.

Preliminary round (best of three sets, no tie-break)

Michael Rasztovits v Rob Szabo

Austrian arrowsmith Rasztovits takes on Szabo as 6/4 underdog, with both fighting for the right to later face Jamie Caven.

Kiwi hope Szabo (odds-on at 1/2) has played this stage before, memorably causing Phil Taylor to sweat back in 2014 before falling at the first round. This experience should stand him in good stead, then, which is why he is priced at 11/5 to progress by a 2-1 result.

First round

Andy Hamilton v Joe Murnan

The Hammer (8/15 favourite) knows Alexandra Palace well, having been a beaten finalist in 2012. Used to being in the business end of prestigious tournaments, English star Hamilton has also beaten compatriot Murnan (13/10) twice before, so is 10/2 to be crowned King of the Oche (player to win match, most 180s and highest checkout. If any of the markets are tied, bets will be settled as losers) and show his best once again.

Mensur Suljovic v Jermaine Wattimena

Dutch dartsman Wattimena​ was knocked out in the preliminary round last year and is still very much finding his feet with the PDC after switching over from the BDO in 2014.

It is unlikely the 27-year-old will make waves in his second shot at this competition, however, as rising star Suljovic (1/6), a late bloomer himself, seeks to crown a stand-out career calendar year here. For better value, ever-improving The Gentle can be grabbed at 11/10 for most maximums, or 6/4 to win 3-0.

Jamie Caven v Rasztovits/Szabo

Caven has the quality to conquer which ever opponent he finds himself facing here, and should be confident of reaching the second round for the fifth time and third in succession.

Related

Check out more on the World Darts Championship on our darts page.

Coral’s top tip: Back Suljovic to star at 6/4 with a 3-0 victory against Wattimena​.